NBA Game of the week: Knicks at Lakers on Tuesday

WHEN: Tuesday. 12:30 p.m. PST. TV: ABC.

The NBA season started a year ago on this day, and it might as well again for the Lakers. Their horrid opening week ensured they wouldn’t have A Mike Brown Christmas, and injuries to Steve Nash and Pau Gasol turned the Big Four into Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard and the Lilliputians. It’s no wonder that nearly two months removed from their opener, the Lakers still are seeking their first marquee victory. This would count. The Knicks are easily the league’s biggest surprise even without Amare Stoudemire, who hopes to return soon after being sidelined all season following knee surgery.

—Ben Bolch